"Trailer Wiring Default" Any ideas?

[RiverChuckNorris]

This was the error message on my F150's message center when I hooked up my 2011 Ice Castle Friday morning @ 5:00AM to head north. The lights all worked, however, the electric brakes did not.

The following actions were then taken (many which were directed by Ice Castle themselves via the phone) to no availe:

-Verified wiring correct in 7 prong plug

-Hooked up Castle to 2014 F350 and got same error message

-Emergency Breakaway battery on nose of IC replaced

-Fuses checked

-Front panel of V removed to expose and check ground wire associated with brakes

-Brake wires behind IC tires appear normal

**As a note, one brake had seized to the drum over the summer and I had Crystal Welding service both brakes/drums, this fall. When I was leaving, I got a similar error msg and the brakes weren't engaging. Turned around and we figured out it was the 7 prong receiver on my truck. Replaced that and the 7 prong plug at the time and I had brake function once again.

Needless to say, we hit the road anyways a few hours later minus any trailer brakes. I'm hoping someone has had similar issues and can help troubleshoot. Otherwise, looks like more time/money at Crystal Welding.

[Blackhawkxp]

I think it is because it is hooked up to a FORD. You need to get one of them Chevy Silverados.

[john.wells]

Have you had this Ice Castle hooked to this truck before with no problems in the past? I would lean towards the trailer being the problem-it almost always is. I have dealt with A LOT of wiring issues (I am a mechanic for MnDOT, where everything is covered in salt and nothing seems to match when it comes to vehicle to trailer wiring due to changes with ABS, Electric vs Air brake wiring, etc...) Look for any wires that may have been chewed apart by mice, corroded, or just plain broken.

[RiverChuckNorris]

I have been towing it with the same truck for the past 3 seasons and , like I said, it worked fine a month ago after we replaced the wiring harness...

[B-man715]

I would bet that the issue is either the trailer plug or the truck receptacle.

Look closely at the inside of the trailer plug, the 7 blades are prone to having the blades getting pushed deep into itself and losing connection.

Also try bending the brake wire tab/blade around in both the truck receptacle and trailer plug to make a better connection.

Shoot some WD-40 or some dielectric grease on both too if you haven't already.

Hope this helps

[Blackhawkxp]

Not sure what year your truck is but i posted a link to a HSOforum that may give you some insight to possible problems. May be a totally different fault but when i searched "trailer wiring default" nothing came up.

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/596346-wiring-fault-on-trailer-message.html

[RiverChuckNorris]

Thanks Blackhawk. After reading all 6 pages of the thread, I'm starting to believe it's indeed a design issue with the electrical plug in on the truck (mine is a 2011). Sounds like water gets in there and causes the fault.

This would explain why it worked again a month ago as soon as that was replaced, but then the problem re-appeared this past weekend. It would also explain why we got the same message on the 2014 F350.....wow.

Guess I'll have to disassemble, clean it out and see if that fixes things.